News Summary

A tragic incident occurred at a mine in Derry Township when a 61-year-old worker was killed after being pinned down by a large rock. The emergency services were called, but despite quick response, the worker was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. Authorities are now investigating the circumstances leading to the dislodgement of the rock and examining safety protocols in place at the quarry operation. The local community is left mourning this unfortunate event.

Derry Township, Pennsylvania — Worker Killed After Being Trapped by Large Rock at Local Mine

Fatal Incident Occurs at Derry Construction Site

A 61-year-old male worker lost his life after a large falling rock trapped him underground at a mine in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, on Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened at the Derry Construction site located on the 320 block of Quarry Road, where the worker was employed in a quarry operation.

Details of the Accident

According to reports, an approximately 500-pound rock dislodged and fell onto the worker’s legs while he was working inside the mine shaft. The incident was reported to emergency services shortly thereafter. Fire crews responded at around 3:45 p.m., arriving quickly to assess and assist with the rescue operation.

Emergency personnel assessed the scene and worked to extricate the worker, but he was pronounced dead at approximately 5:45 p.m., just over two hours after the initial reports. The cause of death has not been officially determined and will be established following autopsy and toxicology investigations.

Initial Response and Investigation

The local fire department, including Derry Township Fire Chief Mark Piantine, confirmed that multiple first responders were on-site during the rescue effort. A medical helicopter was initially requested to transport the victim but was later canceled after the severity of the situation was evaluated and found not to require air transport.

The Pennsylvania State Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are examining how the rock became dislodged and whether safety procedures were followed.

Victim and Workplace Background

The victim has been identified as James F. Gershman, a resident of White Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Gershman was working as a quarry employee at the site at the time of the accident. He was 61 years old and had been employed with the company for an unspecified period.

The owner and operator of the quarry is Heidelberg Materials, a major company in the industry. As of now, Heidelberg Materials has not issued a public statement regarding the incident.

Additional Context and Location Details

The quarry where the accident occurred is situated on the western slope of Chestnut Ridge, a location easily observable from Torrance State Hospital. It operates as part of the region’s industrial landscape, with regular mining activities that carry inherent risks.

This tragic event marks a serious reminder of the dangers associated with mining and quarrying work, which often involves heavy physical labor and large equipment. Safety regulations are in place to prevent incidents like this, but accidents can still happen despite precautions.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident, focusing on safety protocols, equipment, and the sequence of events leading up to the rockfall. The autopsy and toxicology results, which are pending, will help clarify the cause of death and whether any safety violations contributed to the incident.

This incident underscores the importance of strict safety measures in mining operations and the need for ongoing oversight to prevent future tragedies. The community and industry stakeholders await further updates as the investigation progresses.

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Additional Resources

• WTAE News
• Wikipedia: Mining Accident
• Indiana Gazette
• Google Search: Quarry Safety Protocols
• Tribune-Review
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Mining
• WPXI News
• Google News: Workplace Safety
• WPXI Vote Now
• Google Scholar: Mine Safety Regulations

Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC

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